Bennan

A summit in central Dumfries and Galloway, Bennan rises to 398m (1305 feet) 2½ miles (4 km) north of Crocketford and 3 miles (5 km) west of Shawhead. It is classified as a Marilyn and on its summit is Turner's Monument, which marks the burial spot of Johnnie Turner who died at Glen farm in 1841 aged 60 years. Turner was a horn cutlery maker, who travelled round local farms working for his board and lodging. With permission from the farmer, he dug his own grave at the top of the hill and ordered his tombstone, inscribed as follows:

In Memory of
John Turner
who died at Glen 1st of December 1841
aged 60 years.

Jordan I've passed through many a weary day
On Earth I wandered waiting to be free
Honest and poor I trode life's thorny way
No comfort there save hope in Heaven for me.
Though on this lonely hill-top my body lies
Under this stone it moulders into dust
Remember stranger it will yet arise
Nor taste of death again, but with the just
Eternal anthems to my Saviour raise
Redeeming love will be our theme of praise,
Here in this place I made my grave
Four years before I died
And I did ask some decent men
To see me safe interred
As I did get the grant of it
From J. Lennox Esquire of the land
Which he did grant to give to me
As long as time doth stand.


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